Childcare injuries: Little girl battered and bruised
Table of Contents
- Exclusive: A three-year-old left with multiple injuries after an incident at an Echuca childcare centre
- What we know and what remains unclear
- Immediate implications for parents and centres
- Steps families can take after a childcare incident
- Looking ahead: investigation and accountability
- Key takeaways
- Frequently asked questions
Exclusive: A three-year-old left with multiple injuries after an incident at an Echuca childcare centre
Childcare injuries have again raised urgent questions about supervision, transparency and safety after three-year-old Matilda arrived home from Goodstart Early Learning in Echuca with bruising, grazes, bite marks and a mild concussion. Her mother, Claire, says staff rang to say her daughter had been hit with a shovel — but the full extent of the injuries revealed a far worse picture.
The incident happened on a Wednesday morning in the centre's outdoor sandpit. Matilda is non-verbal and has limited ability to express pain, which made it harder for staff and her family to understand what had occurred immediately. When Claire arrived at the centre she was told another three‑year‑old was believed to have used a shovel.
Claire says there was no CCTV footage available to clarify events, and staff could only describe seeing the other child strike Matilda in the head with a shovel several times. Emergency treatment at hospital confirmed a mild concussion and multiple injuries across Matilda’s head, neck, back and legs.
Goodstart Early Learning told reporters it would not disclose specifics “to protect the privacy of the two children involved,” and said the centre was staffed in line with regulatory requirements. The centre also noted an additional educator rostered to support children with additional needs was due to begin shortly after the incident.
Distressed and seeking answers, Claire has reported the matter to police. The state government’s Child Regulatory Authority is expected to investigate the centre’s handling of the incident and whether supervision and duty-of-care obligations were met.
What we know and what remains unclear
We know where and when the event occurred, basic accounts of what staff observed, and that Matilda sustained a mild concussion plus multiple bruises and marks. We also know the family has not yet received a formal incident report from the centre, despite requesting one.
What remains unclear is the precise timeline inside the sandpit, how long the event lasted, whether staff intervened immediately, and why there is no CCTV to assist in establishing the facts. Those gaps are central to the investigation by police and the Child Regulatory Authority.
Immediate implications for parents and centres
Incidents like this spotlight several issues for parents and early childhood services: supervision ratios, the adequacy of supports for children with additional needs, incident reporting practices, and transparency after serious events.
- For parents: insist on written incident reports, ask about supervision ratios and the centre’s approach to supporting children with extra needs, and confirm whether CCTV or other monitoring exists on site.
- For centres: clear, timely communication with families and robust incident documentation are essential. Centres must also ensure staff are trained to recognise and respond promptly to harm, especially when children cannot verbalise injuries.
Steps families can take after a childcare incident
If your child is injured at childcare, consider the following actions immediately:
- Seek medical attention and keep records of any treatment and diagnoses.
- Request a formal incident report from the centre and a copy of any internal investigations.
- Report serious injuries to local police and the state regulatory authority if you believe duty of care was breached.
- Keep a timeline of events, conversations and photographs of any injuries.
- If your child has additional needs, ask how the centre documents and implements extra supports and consider seeking an independent assessment if you have concerns.
Looking ahead: investigation and accountability
Police and the state Child Regulatory Authority will assess whether the centre met legal and regulatory obligations. Investigations typically examine staffing levels, training records, incident reports, supervision practices and any available witness statements.
Claire’s goal is simple and shared by many parents: “Just so it doesn't happen to any other children.” The outcome of the investigation will be important for the family and for wider public confidence in early childhood services.
Key takeaways
- Serious injuries at childcare demand prompt medical care, clear incident reporting and, where necessary, police notification.
- Transparency from providers supports accountability and reassures families.
- Centres must have effective procedures for children who are non‑verbal or have additional needs.
- Regulatory oversight exists to investigate breaches, but parents should be proactive in seeking documentation and answers.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly happened to the child?
Matilda, a three‑year‑old, was reportedly struck in the sandpit by another child with a shovel and later taken to hospital where she was found to have a mild concussion as well as bruises, grazes and bite marks. The full sequence of events remains under investigation.
Has the childcare centre responded?
Goodstart Early Learning confirmed the incident but declined to give specific details to protect privacy. The centre said it was staffed to regulatory requirements and that an additional educator was due to start shortly after the incident.
Will there be an investigation?
Yes. Claire has reported the matter to police, and the state Child Regulatory Authority is expected to investigate the centre’s handling of the incident and compliance with regulations.
What should parents do if their child is injured at childcare?
Seek immediate medical attention, request a written incident report, document conversations and any injuries, and notify police or the regulatory authority if you suspect negligence or a failure of duty‑of‑care.
How can centres better protect children with additional needs?
Centres should ensure tailored support plans, appropriate staffing and supervision, staff training on recognising non‑verbal indicators of pain or distress, and clear communication with families about the child’s needs and risk‑reduction strategies.
The information in this article has been adapted from mainstream news sources and video reports published on official channels. Watch the full video here A childcare nightmare—little girl battered and bruised | 7NEWS
